The annual Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival sponsored by the ACORN 8 will be a virtual event this year. It starts this Friday. The theme is Salute to the 50th Anniversary of the Pentagon Papers and Rise of Investigative Journalism. Daniel Ellsberg will be a keynote speaker.
A lot of cool documentary films will be available for viewing.
Read details, and see the link below for more information.
Pentagon Papers and Investigative Journalism Honored by the Annual Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival on Film Festival Flix
Daniel Ellsberg to Keynote the Award-Winning Festival: July 23rd–August 1st
(Washington, DC) – ACORN 8 and the Society of Professional Journalists (DC) are hosting the Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival. This year’s theme is a Salute to the 50th Anniversary of the Pentagon Papers and Rise of Investigative Journalism. The event will include a keynote presentation by Daniel Ellsberg, and other panel discussions from Watergate-era journalists, academics, and whistleblower advocates, including panels hosted by the Society of Professional Journalists (DC Chapter).
In 1971, Daniel Ellsberg, a leading Vietnam War strategist in the Pentagon, concluded that America’s role in the war was based on decades of lies. He copied and leaked 7,000 pages of top-secret documents to The New York Times and then to The Washington Post. The daring and conscientious activities of whistleblowers and journalists during these times lead to Watergate, President Nixon’s resignation and the end of the Vietnam War, and a Supreme Court ruling expanding press freedom.
“We are honored to have Daniel Ellsberg as a keynote speaker for the summit this year. We will provide a unique and more comprehensive perspective on the Watergate era. We have seen this story from the perspective of journalists in All The Presidents Men. We have even seen this story from the perspective of the publisher in The Post. However, what we have not seen is this story told from the perspective of the whistleblowers, both known and unknown. This is the discussion we will pose during the summit this year,” says Marcel Reid, Festival Director.
The festival will also feature online workshops, Q&A sessions, and a presentation of the 2021 Pillar Awards. It will also screen Pentagon Papers with a panel discussion. The virtual presentation will be hosted by Film Festival Flix. This streaming platform partners with film festivals powering a curated virtual experience. Patrons will be able to stream the 2021 official selections on the FilmFestivalFlix.com website or through their TV and mobile apps.
“We’ve always prided ourselves on providing a new experience at the summit every year, like the first TEDx Whistleblower and First Amendment Salon. With this new format, we can share panel discussions, virtual events and showcase great independent films and filmmakers,” says Michael McCray, Managing Director.
In 2019, the Whistleblower Summit and Film Festival was recognized as a “Best Festival” for innovation in Arts, Film & Culture from FestForums. The “Best of the Fests,” is an award ceremony recognizing North America’s leading festivals. This conference awarded winners from three festival types: Arts, Film & Culture; Food & Beverages and Music. Details about how to participate in the Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival and contribute to our movement are available at https://filmfestivalflix.com/Whistleblower/Purchase-Tickets/
For More information about the Virtual Film Festival platform, click here.
ABOUT THE WHISTLEBLOWER SUMMIT & FILM FESTIVAL (www.WhistleblowerSummit.com)
The Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival is a civil and human rights conference and the largest annual gathering of whistleblowers. The summit consists of panel discussions, luncheons, book signings, film screenings and first amendment demonstrations on Capitol Hill. Our mission is to celebrate the contributions and sacrifices of whistleblowers and connect whistleblowing to the global civil and human rights movements while promoting filmmaking for entertainment, inspiration, and education. The Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival is the intersection of law, journalism, entertainment, and popular culture.
A wonderful idea and event
So cool – I which my uncle had lived to see this – Senator Mike Gravel helped Daniel Ellsberg expose/publish the pentagon papers.
I wonder if Eric CiarameIIa will show up?